Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Uncomfortable Companions - 4
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The territories of the Adenberg Marquis House and the Altesia Count House weren't all that far apart.
Our long journey was finally nearing its end.
We were preparing for our last night of camping.
We decided to gather around the campfire, glowing brightly in the darkness, and share some casual stories.
Excluding Princess Rosmel, I could chat with the others anytime, but a relaxed atmosphere like this naturally drew out honest conversations.
We're all companions on this journey—wouldn't it be great if we bonded a little more?
With that in mind, I called everyone except the knights and attendants to the fireside.
"Our Young Master is surprisingly sentimental, isn't he? Suggesting we bond over stories by the campfire."
"You've seen how the Adenberg Marquis fell, right? He showed zero interest in his subordinates, and their betrayal brought him down."
"We would never betray you, Lord Heinz!"
"I trust you all. I just thought, while we're at it, we could make our bonds a little tighter."
Even couples who'd been together for over ten years could break up after a single fight.
Afterward, they went their separate ways and eventually married others, cutting off all contact.
The fight that ended it? She was one minute late to their appointment, and they blew up over it.
I'd witnessed that fight firsthand, and it taught me that bonds aren't eternal.
They can crumble over a single slip of the tongue, so to avoid even the smallest cracks, I'd set up this gathering.
"Indeed, a wise decision."
"I think it's a great idea too. Does that mean you're considering me a companion as well, Young Master?"
"I can't ignore Your Highness's position."
"So, basically a business relationship!"
"Considering the difference in status, that's only natural!"
No sooner had I finished speaking than Lena and Maribel jumped in with their quips.
Princess Rosmel's lips twitched.
She was trying hard to keep smiling.
If her escort knights had been nearby, they might have drawn their swords over the rudeness.
"Forgive me, Young Master, but this old man isn't used to gatherings like this. I don't know what to talk about."
"No need to overthink it. Share something from your past, a hobby, or preferences. You can ask others questions too. Let's go around in turns."
"Then may I ask you a question first, Young Master?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"What color are your underwear right now?"
"...Black."
Had I created this gathering for nothing?
Seeing Lena toss out a playful question from the start—and actually jotting it down—made me regret it instantly.
But since it fell under personal tastes, I answered honestly.
So I wished Maribel and Princess Rosmel would stop glancing at my crotch.
"My turn to ask now. Lena, how did you end up becoming an assassin?"
"Ahaha! Truth is, I didn't become one because I wanted to...!"
Lena shared a story from her childhood.
It started with a fairy tale book dropped by a child among migrants crossing the forest.
It wasn't about an assassin, but a righteous outlaw who punished corrupt nobles for the world's sake, distributing their ill-gotten wealth to the poor.
"After reading that book, I started idolizing the outlaw without realizing it!"
"And the result? You became an assassin who slaughters people left and right?"
"Bet you've killed plenty of innocents with those hands too, huh?"
I now understood why an elf like Lena had left the forest for the underworld.
And why an assassin like her ended up on our side.
I thought it was a decent motivation, but Maribel and Princess Rosmel pounced, teasing her mercilessly.
She did have a history of killing for money, so calling her a righteous outlaw was a stretch.
"I had no choice! Righteous deeds cost a fortune, and even when I helped out hard, no one appreciated it! They even demanded more, like it was my job from the start!"
Lena had fallen into assassination for utterly practical reasons.
People started treating her kindness as an entitlement, crushing her outlaw dreams.
With her arms crossed and brows furrowed, it was clear she never wanted to revisit that dark history.
Still, considering how she'd helped the protagonist's party for free, her sense of justice was alive and well.
"That's why following you is hands-down the best choice I ever made, Young Master! You're a noble who recognizes my efforts and showers me with overly generous rewards!"
"Stop clinging to Lord Heinz!"
Lena hugged me tightly again, only for Maribel to step in and pry her off.
Afterward, Maribel positioned herself between us to block any more sudden moves from Lena.
The mood settled down, and we resumed our talk.
"My turn now? There's something I've always wanted to ask you, Lord Heinz."
"Go ahead."
"How did you know my life was in danger, and why did you help me?"
I was at a loss for words.
Because if you die, Kizen turns into a murderer and kills me!
I couldn't say something so absurd.
The problem was, that really was the reason I'd helped.
I scrambled for an excuse, but nothing came to mind.
"Can it stay a secret?"
"That's fine. You're still my lifesaver, Lord Heinz!"
Maribel grabbed both my hands, her cheeks flushing.
Maybe it was the firelight playing tricks.
Either way, I found myself lost in her beauty for a moment.
"Ahem! Ahem!"
The princess's fake cough snapped me back.
As I pulled my hands away from Maribel, she puffed out one cheek.
Was this what it felt like to be bewitched by a fox spirit?
I couldn't let my guard down for a second.
"Finally my turn. I like men who seem like wastrels on the outside but are incredibly kind deep down! Please keep that in mind, Young Master."
"...Got it."
Unlike the others, Princess Rosmel didn't ask me a question.
She boldly expressed her preference—and her interest in me.
She flashed a triumphant smile at Maribel and Lena, who responded with icy stares.
At this rate, the three of them might start fighting and ruin everything.
This was supposed to foster friendship.
Deciding I had to pivot, I passed the baton.
"Kizen, your turn."
"This old man's story won't be pleasant. Are you sure?"
"It's fine. Tell us anything."
"Very well. I'll share a past I never even told my daughter."
Kizen began the tale of how he met Eli, his wife and Maribel's mother.
Born an alley orphan, Kizen had lived his life as an assassin.
Killing repeatedly had hardened his heart.
One day, gravely wounded from a dangerous mission, he collapsed.
Eli found and saved him.
Undaunted by his perilous life as an assassin, she tended his wounds and always kept him company.
Kizen couldn't understand her actions at first, but their talks slowly thawed his emotions.
By the time his wounds healed, his feelings had blossomed into love.
"I couldn't bear to lose her, so in a fit of passion, I proposed."
"Oh my!"
"What a man!"
"I never knew Father had that side to him."
Eli accepted joyfully, and they married.
Kizen quit assassinations, worked honestly, and lived happily.
Describing Maribel's birth, even his stoic face softened into a smile.
But it didn't last—his expression hardened again.
"It was the day Eli went shopping."
Viscount Beld, out for a stroll, arrived at their village by chance and spotted Eli.
Infamous for his womanizing, he coveted the village's most beautiful woman and ordered his knights to seize her.
Eli pleaded she was taken, but he didn't care and took her anyway.
Kizen learned too late and rushed to confront the viscount.
"Eli resisted to the end. Viscount Beld raped and killed her, then hung her body in front of his manor."
"..."
Everyone, who'd been enthralled by Kizen's sweet romance, fell silent.
Imagining his pain back then hurt even us outsiders.
"I wanted to tear the viscount apart right then. But with a child on the way, I couldn't. Maribel would've been lost without her mother—and me—in this harsh world."
"Father..."
"I had no choice but to endure, stewing in rage and grief."
To support them, Kizen returned to assassination.
Days raising Maribel, nights taking hits—he barely managed.
Then came a certain commission.
"Assassinate Viscount Beld, now a Sword Master."
"Ah, so that's why you killed Viscount Beld..."
"Yes. Old rage surged up, and I accepted."
For Eli's vengeance.
Now I knew why Kizen had risked everything to kill an imperial Sword Master.
And he still regretted that choice.
"I was a fool. Obsessed with revenge, I nearly lost my only daughter too."
With their head gone, Viscount Beld's house sent pursuers after Kizen.
In the chase, Maribel fell critically ill—that's where my knowledge began.
Having bared his past, Kizen knelt before me repeatedly.
"Young Master Heinz, thank you so much for helping... Without you, this foolish old man would have lost his final treasure! I'll never forget your grace, even in hell!"
Tears fell from Kizen's bowed head.
Knowing his life and his pains, I understood.
How agonizing those years, holding back revenge for his daughter?
Impossible to fathom—a father's heart. Tears streamed down Maribel's cheeks too.
"You've suffered so much. Sorry that's all I can say..."
"No, those words are more than enough."
Kizen was content, but I wasn't.
Viscount Beld's house had committed atrocities deserving extermination—yet hunted Kizen's family.
I wouldn't be satisfied until I crushed them utterly.
Unlike Adenberg, I wanted Beld's line rooted out.
No matter how many years, I'd make them fall. Clenching my fist, someone approached.
"Young Master Heinz."
"Your Highness?"
A voice cold and sharp as an icicle.
Princess Rosmel, usually all warm smiles, glared fiercely.
"I'll help you."
She'd read my mind and pledged aid.
I was certain one house would vanish from the empire.